June 2016 Cooking Challenge: Vegetarian

I was going to choose Tofu (Bean Curd), but I thought I might get hate mail! /img/vbsmilies/smilies/biggrin.gif So, I broadened it out a bit. This month's Challenge is 'vegetarian' (I might still get hate mail). The reason for my choice is that my daughter is vegetarian and I'm usually cooking a meal every night for her as well as other meaty fare for everyone else. But.. what I'm looking for is not simply vegetarian, but sexy vegetarian!

So, no boring nut roasts please. Lets give the lentils a love in, big up the beans and give those vegetable some Va Va Voom. Starters or main courses but not desserts (that would be too easy). Titillating Tofu is welcome! /img/vbsmilies/smilies/lol.gif

Here is my first attempt at the monthly challenge.
Grilled leeks with roasted hazelnuts, capers and browned clarified butter.

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This is a great starter for the Cooking Challenge and a great starter for a romantic meal! An original combination of ingredients: sweet leeks, salty capers and earthy smoky hazelnuts hugged in the nutty butter. I can imagine all the elements working together so well! Can't wait to see your main course./img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif

vegetarian: Sioux word for bad hunter /img/vbsmilies/smilies/biggrin.gif sorry I had to do it! I am a committed carnivore... off to eat my reheated baby backs and baked beans loaded with bacon /img/vbsmilies/smilies/biggrin.gif

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]Hi MG. Just a quick question... does vegetarian mean anything w/o a face? My dad called himself a vegetarian, but he ate chicken and fish. Never quite clear to me. Is Vegan the same as Vegetarian? Thanks.

This could be fun. Just off the top of my head I think I'll do four dishes. One from Africa. One from China. One from India. One from somewhere in Europe. And though eggs and dairy are fair game, I'm going to try to avoid such in 2 of the dishes. Of course, come the end of the month what I actually do may end up completely different. But there WILL be tofu involved.

I was originally sad about this months challenge as I am almost Paleo diet wise. However, Getting out of my comfort zone has been a life theme for me for the last few years, so this fits perfectly. However, there will be no tofu from me. Game on. Good luck all /img/vbsmilies/smilies/bounce.gif

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]Hi MG. Just a quick question... does vegetarian mean anything w/o a face? My dad called himself a vegetarian, but he ate chicken and fish. Never quite clear to me. Is Vegan the same as Vegetarian? Thanks.

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Vegetarian means no animals so your dad was actually not a vegetarian. A vegetarian that eats fish is called a pescatarian. Someone who eats chicken is not a vegetarian. Vegetarians do eat animal products so you can include cheese, milk, butter, dairy, eggs.

A vegan is someone who does not eat any animals or animal products. No fish, no eggs no dairy either.

Hi MG. Just a quick question... does vegetarian mean anything w/o a face? My dad called himself a vegetarian, but he ate chicken and fish. Never quite clear to me. Is Vegan the same as Vegetarian? Thanks.

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Vegetarian means no animal or fish products which require the animal to be killed in order to produce them. So eggs, milk and cheese is OK (although strictly speaking, cheese containing rennet should not be used), vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses, Quorn, Beancurd (Tofu) etc. - all OK.

I was originally sad about this months challenge as I am almost Paleo diet wise. However, Getting out of my comfort zone has been a life theme for me for the last few years, so this fits perfectly. However, there will be no tofu from me. Game on. Good luck all /img/vbsmilies/smilies/bounce.gif

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Well, from what I know about Paleo it would be possible to do Vegetarian Paleo dishes. You could produce meals from the following food groups:

@morning glory Thanks. I already have a few ideas in mind. Besides, there is nothing wrong with having a nice rare steak on the side and just not have it in the picture, right? /img/vbsmilies/smilies/wink.gif I was super busy last month, but hope to have a little more time this month. So busy that I wasn't able to get my pork belly (from the April challenge) smoked in time and had to toss it. It was almost criminal.

@morning glory Thanks. I already have a few ideas in mind. Besides, there is nothing wrong with having a nice rare steak on the side and just not have it in the picture, right? /img/vbsmilies/smilies/wink.gif I was super busy last month, but hope to have a little more time this month. So busy that I wasn't able to get my pork belly (from the April challenge) smoked in time and had to toss it. It was almost criminal.

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Tut tut... well as long as its a complete course in its own right, without the steak in view. /img/vbsmilies/smilies/thumb.gif